Courtesy: WMU View Photo
Carder and O'Neill Invited to the 2013 East-West Shrine Game
Courtesy: Mat Kanan, director of athletic media relations
Release: 12/13/2012

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TAMPA, Fla. - For the second straight season, two Broncos have been invited to participate in a postseason All-Star Game. Executive Director of the East-West Shrine Game, Harold Richardson, confirmed on Dec. 11 that Alex Carder and Dann O'Neill have officially been invited to participate in this year's game on Jan. 19, 2013 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

In 2011, Drew Nowak and Jordan White were invited to postseason All-Star Games with Nowak participating in the Casino Del-Sol All-Star Game and White earning an invite to the Senior Bowl. It is the second time in program history that multiple WMU football players earned a roster spot in the same postseason All-Star Game. Londen Fryar, Branden Ledbetter and Jamarko Simmons were all invited to the 2009 Texas vs. The Nation Challenge.

The only other time in program history that multiple Broncos were invited postseason All-Star Games in the same year, outside of 2009, 2011 and 2012, was 2004 when Jason Babin and Kendrick Mosley earned roster spots in games.

"I'm thrilled for the opportunity to participate in this historical game," said Carder. "I appreciate the East-West Shrine Game for their consideration and I look forward to competing with the top players of the 2012 class."

The duo will train on their own before being flown down to Florida for game week beginning on Jan. 12.

"This is a huge honor. You look at how many players the East-West Shrine Game invites each year and it's not that many. It's a great honor to a part of this elite group and I am excited to be a part of it," commented O'Neill. "I'm also excited to be playing with Alex for one more game."

Carder and O'Neill are the eighth and ninth Broncos, respectively to participate in the East-West Shrine Game and the first since Greg Jennings in 2006. All seven of the previous players (Bob Rowe, Mike Siwek, John Offerdahl, Mark Garalczyk, Tom Nütten, Babin, Greg Jennings) to participate in the event went on to be drafted into the National Football League and two went on to win Super Bowls (Nütten, Jennings).

Since 1925 the East-West Shrine Game has been more than just a football game. It’s been a showcase for the next generation of NFL greats and a priceless benefit event for Shriners Hospitals for Children. The East-West Shrine Game is the longest-running all-star college football game, combining great football with a great cause and creating experiences for players that will last a lifetime.